About
While traveling in Latvia please keep in mind - a lot of interesting marked bicycle trails are not paved. I prefer traveling here with my mountain bike because of wider tires and shock absorbers for gravel roads. When wet it might be hard to ride non-paved rods with narrow tires. The best and most precise maps for Latvia you can find at http://balticmaps.eu . They also have a free iPhone application ( http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/baltic-maps/id437264448 ) and Android phones application.
Last updated 19 May 2021 by Janis VitumsEdit
People
The people seem to be a bit distant at first. But if you approach them and ask something, they will be more than happy to help you. In the countryside, people are also curious about this strange cyclist, because tourists usually linger in the coastal region and the cities. There you will also be able to enjoy the authentic life as it has been for decades.
Last updated 26 May 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit
Visa
People from EU, Canada, Japan and USA don't need a visa. All other people need a Schengen visa to visit this country. You can find more information here https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/tourist-schengen-visa/. The visa is valid for 90 days, and allows you to travel through all Schengen countries.
Last updated 3 Sept 2020 by Bas IdsingaEdit
Bike shops (8)
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1. GandrsBike shopWebsite: https://www.gandrs.eu/- 2. Outdoors and sport equipment shopBike shopYou can get basic stuff here, including bike spare parts. Usually they can do basic repair
- 3. RixieBike shop+371 29101103, Brīvības gatve 296
- 4. Second hand bike shop and repairsBike shop
- 5. TraseBike shop+371 67242451, Bruņinieku iela 28
- 6. Velo depoBike shop+371 20244044, Matīsa iela 8
- 7. ZZK JŪRMALABike shopK.Ulmaņa gatve 201, Rīga Store: +371 67810340 Workshop: +371 67810342 E-Mail: zzk@zzk.lv
- 8. ZZK VALMIERABike shopContact information Rīgas iela 75a, Valmiera Phone: +371 64229661 E-Mail: valmiera@zzk.lv Business hours M-F: 10.00AM – 6.00PM Saturday: 9.00AM – 2.00PM…
Sleeping
(Formal) camping
There are a number of quite basic campsites scattered around Latvia, normally with a picnic table, a fireplace and, if you’re lucky, a long-drop toilet but no running water. There are normally rubbish bins, but open to wild animals and often full, so it is best if you take all your rubbish with you. The Latvian website ‘MamaDaba’ (Mother Nature) has a map showing the location of and information about these sites. Camping is allowed, but the campfire may be lit only in places intended for it, there is usually a firewood already prepared.
Ho(s)tels
You will find hotels in all possible price ranges. Budget hotels are scarce and very sober.
Wild camping
Across the country, wild camping is allowed, although not on private land (unless with permission) or in protected reserves.
With 531 km of coastline, one of the nicest places to sleep in Latvia is in the forest bordering the Baltic sea. This is possible in many guesthouses, but it is also allowed to pitch your tent near the sea, only not in the dunes. (However a hammock is not taking any space on the ground:) ) There is nothing better than waking up to the sound of the sea and going for a swim in the morning light.
Please, whenever camping in nature, take everything away with you and of course do not camp in any restricted or protected areas.
Last updated 26 May 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit
Safety
In Riga you have to be careful with your bike and not just leave it somewhere. With us (Rob & Mel, 2009), the bicycle was even stolen from the hostel hallway, while it was locked to the heater. We were lucky that the police found the bikes the same night. After several city rides in a police van, we then parked our bicycles in a guarded car shed. No problem in the rest of the country !!
Last updated 26 May 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit
Food and drink
Markets
In Riga you will find the largest market in the Baltic, perhaps in all of Eastern Europe. In 5 large halls you can find just about everything that can be called food: dairy products, meat, fish, vegetables and fruit, bakery products, etc. The offer is really overwhelming.
Supermarkets
Shops have a wider range than those in Lithuania and are more easily recognizable on the outside.
Drinkable water
The tap water is not drinkable: chemical contamination is hardly filtered out of the water. Bottled water is available at the somewhat larger filling stations of Western brands.
Last updated 26 May 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit